Hi all. I am about 8 weeks out from a 5K Lake Swim. I am a strong pool swimmer but never done this distance in "open" water - pretty new here. I am convinced I can muscle though it if need be, but would like to make a competitive age group showing.
I am training almost exclusively in pool, so looking for advice, links, or books on workouts, distances, pace, taper (?), etc. Thanks for any advice.
Parents
Former Member
If I am training for a 5K my goal in the past used to be to swim 6 days a week, but it has been years since I was able to do that. These days I aim for 5 days a week. My body needs more rest and if I swim more than that, the quality of my workouts decrease. I also use to aim for 5K to 7K in a workout but I have reduced those targets as well. That being said I have swam 5Ks training only 3 days a week 4K to 5K a workout. When I do that I just have to reduce my expectations about my results, but I can still have a strong swim and have a great time. However, if you want to race the distance and not just swim it, you have to put in some serious yards or be very fit and have great technique. I recently did a 5K. I have been training for (5 to 6 days/week) and racing sprint triathlons which take about the same time as a 5K. I switched over to pure swimming for 3 weeks. I had a great time. My fitness was high and my technique good. I just had to live with swimming below my potential. I still had a great time.
If I am training for a 5K my goal in the past used to be to swim 6 days a week, but it has been years since I was able to do that. These days I aim for 5 days a week. My body needs more rest and if I swim more than that, the quality of my workouts decrease. I also use to aim for 5K to 7K in a workout but I have reduced those targets as well. That being said I have swam 5Ks training only 3 days a week 4K to 5K a workout. When I do that I just have to reduce my expectations about my results, but I can still have a strong swim and have a great time. However, if you want to race the distance and not just swim it, you have to put in some serious yards or be very fit and have great technique. I recently did a 5K. I have been training for (5 to 6 days/week) and racing sprint triathlons which take about the same time as a 5K. I switched over to pure swimming for 3 weeks. I had a great time. My fitness was high and my technique good. I just had to live with swimming below my potential. I still had a great time.
